It's the good life now for the family Yapp

On a sheep farm in Shropshire, NEALE HARVEY talks to Tony Yapp and his sister Jo about their careers in men’s and women’s rugby

- NEALE HARVEY

Renowned kicking guru Tony Yapp is fully behind controversial plans to introduce new 50:22 kicking laws – believing they will revolutionise rugby and create a better spectacle.

World Rugby officials are next month due to discuss extending the trials of the new laws which see a side throw into a lineout if they bounce the ball into touch beyond the opposition 22 from behind halfway, or beyond halfway from behind their own 22.

Born out of a player welfare imperative to reduce the risk of concussion by reducing the number of tackle events, 50:22 laws have already been trialled in Australia’s National Rugby Championship, with World Rugby describing early indications as “very positive”.

While sceptics fear a glut of kicking may ruin the game, former Exeter fly-half Yapp, who works with legendary kick specialist Dave Alred, told The Rugby Paper: “I like the idea because it will give you more kicking options and create more opportunities to attack.

“People will naturally think it will just lead to more kicking, but, actually, it’s going to create more space and more opportunities to run because teams will have to leave more players in backfield to cover both touchlines, which will give more opportunities ball in hand.